PUMP UP THE VOLUME, PUMP UP THE SALES MEETING!!!!!

Of course, we all agree that the number one thing that we need right now is SALES!!! So it seems to me that it would be well worth a little effort to PUMP UP THE VOLUME at your sales meetings! Now, I know we are all stretched for time and dollars...but a little bit of both can go a long way in motivating and stimulating your sales team.

DONT' BE AFRAID TO
LOOK A LITTLE SILLY!
GROWTH OCCURS OUT
OF THE COMFORT ZONE.

Meeting Theme Ideas:
• ANY HOLIDAY MAKES A GREAT THEME. DECORATE, SERVE CAKE
• HOLD A CONTEST, THEMED AROUND WHATEVER SPORTING EVENT IS TAKING PLACE THAT MONTH. EX: SUPERBOWL, MARCH MADNESS, KENTUCKY DERBY, WORLD SERIES
• USE CURRENT TV HITS AS INSPIRATION FOR TRAINING, FOR INSTANCE: "DEAL OR NO DEAL", "THE LAST SALES ASSOC. STANDING" (THE LAST COMIC STANDING), ETC.

• Make them an event. Send out invitations, have a theme, decorate to that theme, add upbeat music.
• Make them interactive. Games, audience participation, FUN! All of these are needed to inspire and energize your sales team. How many times have we all said, "activity creates activity"? There is a reason for that, it’s true!
• Make sure there is something valuable at each meeting. What a wonderful time to provide training!
• Have contests where EVERYONE wins something! Too much focus on winning and loosing can be just as de-motivational as no focus at all. Contests can be used to build team spirit, and then everyone is more likely to contribute to the overall results.
• Take them off-site. There are lots of motivational locations close to home. Think about other successful businesses that emulate something you would like to see more of in your team. Think FUN! Race cars, putt-putt golf, bowling...Any change of scenery, can create an air of excitement!
• Celebrate the little things! Every sale is a reason to celebrate. Celebrate closings. Celebrate happy customers. Celebrate referrals...I am sure if you really starting focusing on the positive, you could come up with lots of things to celebrate.
• Always start and end each meeting with something positive. Before each meeting, I like to ask for volunteers to share something positive or inspirational with the rest of the team.
• Include some food, you can ask for volunteers to bring in something to each meeting. It doesn’t have to be huge. There is something about eating food together that adds to any team.

• Don’t read e-mails or policy memos. Those can clearly be handled via e-mail or interoffice mail.
• Don’t review backlog at your sales meetings. There are many other ways to effectively handle backlog management.
• This should go without saying, but please don’t embarrass or berate any or all team members at a sales meeting.

When it comes to SALES MEETINGS a little planning and effort can really go a long way toward boosting the company’s performance and bottom line. Even if the sales manager comes from an "operational background" and isn’t really comfortable with the creative side, I am sure there are those on your team who would be happy to help-including and especially your sales team. A HAPPY TEAM IS A PRODUCTIVE TEAM!

*Kimberly Mackey, MCSP, CMP, Realtor® is the founder of Creative Sales Solutions. A company dedicated to providing the Sales and Leadership Solutions You Need Right Now. For contact information and for a free subscription to SOLUTIONS E-newsletter, please visit www.creativesalesnow.com.